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Last weekend saw five of Glossop Judo Clubs best fighters travel down to the Birmingham for the 2009 Heart of England Championships.  Held at the impressive National Indoor Arena over nine hundred competitors competed on ten mats in one of the countries toughest judo competitions. Rhiannon Baldwin, Sam Hall, Ryan Phillips, Tom Greenough and Eric Ham  represented the High Peak club.  Rhiannon Baldwin was way off form for this event  losing both her fights.  Ryan Phillips, up against some good fighters, also narrowly lost out losing both his fights.  Tom Greenough fought well winning two of his four fights in a very hard section.  Current British champion, Sam Hall wasn’t up to his usual high standard, and only managed to win two from his three fights, but should be happy with a Bronze medal from this level of competition.  Eric Ham, in another very hard group, fought well winning all his fights to reach the final.  Up against another talented  fighter Eric lost out in extra time, but will be happy to bring another Silver medal back from this prestigious event.  Both Eric and Sam picked up good ranking points from this event.  British Judo have a new system in place to select the best of the talent.  Fighters will earn ranking points from a series of events throughout the year in order to gain an official ranking, and a place on the country’s judo squad.  Over the next few weeks the club’s fighters will be very busy.  Qualification takes place next weekend where players will fight for a place to represent the North West Area in the British National Championships next month, held in Sheffield. Later on in September will see Eric Ham compete in Poland at the Warsaw Open,  whilst October sees Sam Hall travel over to Italy and Eric making another trip over to Poland.